Apple Patenting Solar-Powered Phone, Working on Wrist Devices

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If you’ve heard the claim that Apple’s gotten boring since Steve Jobs died, they probably have too – and they’re doing something about it. Two projects they’re working on sound like anything but boring.

CNET reported last week that the company applied for a patent on an “integrated touch sensor and solar assembly.” They have a picture, which looks like a smartphone or tablet sandwiched between solar panels. (Well, it looks like three rectangles in 3D, but between that and the name you get it.)

And over the weekend, a New York Times tech blog cited anonymous Apple sources who said they were experimenting with wearable smartphone devices. We heard this rumor last month, but it has a little more credibility coming from the NYT.

Such devices could use flexible glass developed by Apple supplier Corning, and could have most if not all of a smartphone’s applications, including the ability to pay by waving or tapping your wrist. The article, specifically talking about Google’s Glass project, also suggests devices could more easily monitor users’ health.

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